Derrick or tower construction



Sept. 15 1942- c. D. FENCE ETAL 2,295,861

DERRICK OR TOWER CONSTRUCTION Filed July so, 1940 C.Z.Pe7zca 1 GLPence INVENTOR-S} A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 15, 1942 DERRICK OR TOWER CONSTRUCTIQN Charles D. Pence and Foster G. Pence, New Bethlehem, Pa.

Application July 30, 1940, Serial No. 348,571

2 Claims.

This invention relates to derrick or tower construction, the primary object of the invention being to provide a derrick or tower constructed in such a way that the derrick or tower will be exceptionally strong, the number of elements of which the derrick or tower is constructed, being reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a derrick or tower embodying a plurality of units comprising pivotally connected bars constructed in such a way that they may be folded into small and compact articles, to facilitate the transportation and storing of the elements, and at the same time permit the erection or dismantling of the derrick or tower, with facility.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a derrick or tower including supporting leg units constructed so that as each leg unit is added, an extension is provided to which the ad jacent upper unit is bolted.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmental elevational view illustrating the base or lower section of a derrick or tower, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the angle plates to which the units forming the sides of the tower or derrick, are bolted.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the construction of the leg units, and showing the manner of assembling .the leg units.

Figure 7 is a view illustrating the side members of the derrick or tower in their folded condition.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the derrick or tower embodies corner posts 5 which are constructed of sections of angle-bar material bolted together at their ends.

Intermediate leg units indicated at 6 are supported between the corner posts 5, and each of these units comprises a pair of bars I and 8, the bars 8 of the lowermost units being longer than the bars I thereof, so that when the units at the base of the derrick or tower are positioned, thev bars 8 will extend an appreciable distance above the adjacent bar 1, providing an extension, to which the side or brace units of the derrick or tower are bolted, when the elements of the tower are being assembled. The remaining leg units, above the lowermost leg unit, are formed of bars 9 that are of equal lengths, the bars 9 being secured together, so that one bar extends above the adjacent bar, to the end that the leg units may be readily assembled.

On finishing off the upper ends of these leg units, bars are used, which are of lengths substantially one-half the length of the bars 9.

The side or brace units of the derrick or tower, comprise a horizontal section II] and pivoted angular sections II, the sections II are secured to the plates I2, by means of the tubular members I3 that pass through aligning openings in the plates I2 and sections I I, the ends of the tubular members being upset to secure the tubular members in position. These tubular members provide bearings for the bolts I4 that extend through the sections II and plates I2, securing the sections II and plates I2 to the leg units. The plates I2 are riveted to the horizontal section II], as at I5.

The horizontal sections It of the side or brace sections, are bolted to the plates I2 associated therewith, and to the leg units by means of the bolts l5.

Secured to the corner posts 5, are angle plates I6 that fit over the corner posts, in a manner as shown by Figure 2 of the drawing. The lower ends of the pivoted angular sections II of the side or brace units, connect with the plates I6, and are secured thereto by means of bolts IT. The horizontal section of each side or brace unit, is bolted to the angle plate I6 associated therewith, by means of bolts I8.

To erect a derrick or tower of units constructed in accordance with the invention, the lowermost corner sections or posts 5 are positioned. The side or brace section at the lower end of the structure, is now positioned and the lowermost leg units are positioned between the corner posts, at points intermediate the ends of the side or brace units. The pivoted angular bars II are now swung downwardly and bolted to the lower ends of the adjacent corner posts.

The leg units are now bolted together end to end, and the side or brace units added in a manner as described.

It will be seen that due to this construction, it is an easy matter to unbolt the outer ends of the angular or pivoted sections I l, and swing the outer ends thereof upwardly to engage the horizontal section II) associated therewith. The units in their folded conditions are easily handled, and remain together at all times, to facilitate erecting or dismantling the derrick or tower.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable sectional tower, comprising corner leg members, a plurality of removable units adapted to be secured to the leg members, each unit embodying an upper horizontal angle bar, a wide plate secured intermediate the ends of the horizontal angle bar, a portion of the plate extending an appreciable distance below the horizontal bar, vertical angle bars having their upper ends connected to the plate, angle bars connected with the angle plate and disposed at oblique angles with respect to the corner leg members, corner angle plates to which the lower ends of the obliquely disposed angle bars and horizontal bars are connected, said angle plate adapted to be fitted around the corner leg members, and said corner angle plates being secured to the leg members, securing the sections to the leg members.

2. A portable sectional tower, comprising corner leg members, a plurality of removable units adapted to be secured to the leg members, each unit embodying an upper horizontal bar, a wide plate secured intermediate the ends of the horizontal bar, a portion of the plate extending an appreciable distance below the horizontal bar, a pair of vertical angle bars secured to the wide angle plate, one of the vertical bars of each pair extending an appreciable distance above the horizontal angle bar with which it is connected, angle bars connected with the angle plate and disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the corner leg members, corner angle plates to which the lower ends of the obliquely disposed angle bars and horizontal bars are connected, said angle plates adapted to be fitted around the corner leg members, and said corner angle plates being secured to the leg members, securing the units to the leg members.

CHARLES D. PENCE. FOSTER G. PENCE. 

